Jealous Boyfriend Accused In Stabbing Death Of Girlfriend, Two Kids At Staten Island Hotel

Michael Sykes entered a motel, stabbing Rebecca Cutler, her 2-year-old daughter and two infant daughters. Only one child survived.

A heartbreaking story unfolded Wednesday in Staten Island, New York, when a young mother and two of her three children were stabbed to death.

Michael Sykes is accused of entering a motel where his girlfriend Rebecca Cutler was staying and flew into a jealous rage. He allegedly stabbed the mother, her 2-year-old and infant daughters, according to a report from local television news outlet PIX 11.

The New York Police Department reports that at 7:30 AM ET, Cutler and her children were shopping at a deli near the Ramada Inn motel where the family has lived since December. Police say Sykes, 23, waited for Cutler, 26, in the motel’s hallway before the brazen attack.

The stabbing happened about 8:50 a.m. Hotel staff discovered Cutler and her three children with stab wounds.

Cutler was pronounced dead at Richmond University Medical Center.

Her daughters Ziana Cutler, 1, and Maiyah Sykes, 4 months, were rushed to Staten Island University North Hospital where they were pronounced dead.

The third child, who is 2, was taken to RUMC where police say it “looks like she’s going to make it.”

The incident prompted a response for New York City mayor Bill de Blasio, who referred to the stabbing as “horrible.”

The Ramada Inn that housed Cutler’s family was used as a makeshift shelter for homeless families and had no record of violence since opening its doors in assistance in August 2015. While the motel does have evening security, there wasn’t a guard on duty in the morning.

Public Advocate of New York City, Letitia James, had this to say via a news release:

“Today’s tragic stabbing in Staten island is both shocking and heartbreaking. As we pray for the victims and their families, we must come together to ensure swift justice and prevent something like this from ever happening again.

“Too many families in our City’s shelters – like Rebecca Cutler and her children – are victims of domestic violence, but do not have the support or resources they need to get help. The NYPD must increase security reviews of all sites housing homeless New Yorkers, and we must expedite the implementation of mental health and social services at all shelter sites Citywide. We have to do everything possible to stop domestic conflict from turning into tragedy.

“The suspect, Michael Sykes, is still on the loose, and I urge all New Yorkers to remain vigilant and immediately call 1-800-577-TIPS with any information.”

A family member told PIX 11 that Sykes admitted to the cowardly act the same morning, and fled the borough via the Staten Island Ferry. A citywide manhunt is underway.

The surviving child, Miracle, is still under the care of doctors and is expected to survive.